Saturday, May 3, 2008

Mother's Day is going to be celebrated in many countries next Sunday (May 11) and many people are already asking themselves - what can I bring my mom? what will make her happy?

My mom is a librarian and an avid reader and I always try to find an interesting book for her. This year I haven't found one yet, but I'm still working on it.. In any case, a book is always a great gift and we want to help you with recommendations on the best green books to give this Mother's Day.We went over all the books reviewed and covered so far on our blog and chose ten books that we think will suit ten different types of moms we detailed below. Check out the our list and we hope you find the right green book to your mom!

Is your mother into fashion, but needs an introduction to eco-fashion? well, this is a great book to start the eco-fashion journey with.

Tamsin Blanchard, the Style Director of Telegraph Magazine and a longtime fashion journalist, wrote a guide on how to green up your lifestyle, without compromising on style, quality, being fashionable, etc. She is focusing on topics such as eco-fashion, eco-style, eco-friendly shoes and bags and getting the (green) look. In addition the book also presents the alternative way to be green and fashionable - DIY.

If your mother is in charge of shopping in the house, this is the perfect book for her. It will show her how she can change the world with a simple but deadly weapon: her purse.

This book is a call-to-action for women to use their power as buyers (women spend 85 percent of every dollar in the marketplace) to make a difference. MacEachern's message is simple but revolutionary: if women harness the "power of their purse" and intentionally shift their spending money to commodities that have the greatest environmental benefit, they can create a cleaner, greener world.

Begley Jr., an actor and a committed environmentalist, presents a do-it-yourself guide to green living that explains how to incorporate eco-friendly products and practices into one's everyday life. The book is covering areas such as the home, transportation, recycling, energy, food, gardening, clothing and furnishing. Begley shares his experiences on what works, what doesn't, and what will save you money! 4. For the food (and cooking) loving mother - 100-Mile Diet: A Year of Local Eating by Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon

This book can change your mom's kitchen for good. The 100-Mile Diet begins in a cottage in the Canadian wilderness with no light, fridge, car or hot water; After an inspired meal gathered only from the wild, Alisa and James launched a year-long diet of food only found within 100 miles of their home. They found themselves returning from their cottage not starving, but with armfuls more food than they arrived with.It wouldn’t be easy. Stepping outside the industrial food system, Smith and MacKinnon found themselves relying on World War II-era cookbooks and maverick farmers who refuse to play by the rules of a global economy. They bargained for sacred squash at a suburban Buddhist temple, discovered the true sweetness of honey, and learned the lost history of dozens of varieties of local wheat. What began as a struggle slowly transformed into one of the deepest pleasures of their lives.5. For the suburban mother - Farewell My Subaru: An Epic Adventure in Local Living by Doug Fine

Here's a book about the experiences of a guy who exchanged the suburbs he grew up in into a farm life in New Mexico. Maybe it will convince your mother to follow suit..Like many Americans, Doug Fine enjoys his creature comforts, but he also knows full well they keep him addicted to oil. So he wonders: Is it possible to keep his Netflix and his car, his Wi-Fi and his subwoofers, and still reduce his carbon footprint? In an attempt to find out, Fine up and moves to a remote ranch in New Mexico, where he brazenly vows to grow his own food, use sunlight to power his world, and drive on restaurant grease. Both a hilarious romp and an inspiring call to action, 'Farewell, My Subaru' makes a profound statement about trading today’s instant gratifications for a deeper, more enduring kind of satisfaction.6. For the corporate mother -

Believe or not - climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing the world today. Most of all, it is quickly becoming a crucial business issue. But how will you and your company respond? You need fast and reliable advice from the world's foremost experts. Climate Change delivers just that: four strategies from two MBA professors with broad and deep experience with environmental issues. 'Climate Change' gives you a first-hand look at how world-class thinkers would react to this pressing issue if they were in your shoes.7. For the busy mother - The Armchair Environmentalist by Karen Christensen

Everyone are busy, especially moms. This is the book to show them how going green is not necessarily time consuming.The Armchair Environmentalist is “a three minute-a-day action plan to save the world.” It focuses on what individuals can do to reduce their use of energy and water and create a healthier environment at home and at work. It is an easy read and chocked full of cute pictures and graphics. Printed on 100% recycled paper, this little book can fit easily into a briefcase or handbag, making it that much easier to take the info "to go".

How big is your mom's carbon footprint? don't know but wants to help her reduce it anyway? here's the guide she'll need.A handbook for cutting your carbon footprint and bills, written by a former director at consumer champion Which?. It’s ideal for anyone at the early stage of greening up their life when you want the facts, and you want a cash-saving incentive to help you get motivated. Goodall’s book has a sufficient depth of detail to help your mom make decisions and shopping choices to cut her carbon emissions, instead of general and ultimately unhelpful advice like “drive less”, “use less energy” or “shop greener.” 9. For the mother who wants to learn more about green biz -Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and Save the World by Gary HirshbergHere's a book you should give your mother if you're considering a career in the green biz world, or if you're already there, and your mom is not sure if it's the right move for you or wants to know more on what does it actually mean 'to do good and well at the same time'.Gary Hirshberg has been at the forefront of movements working for environmental and social transformation for 30 years. From his early days as an educator and activist to his current position as President and CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farm, the world’s largest organic yogurt company, Hirshberg’s positive outlook has inspired thousands of people to recognize their ability to make the world a better place. In 'Stirring it Up', Hirshberg presents stunning evidence that business not only can save the planet, but is able to simultaneously deliver higher growth and superior profits as well.10. For the mother who would like to have (almost) all her green options in one book - Wake Up and Smell the Planet: The Non-Pompous, Non-Preachy Grist Guide to Greening Your Day by Grist Magazine

Wouldn't it be great if one book would provide mom with all the green options she has on her daily life? well, check out this guide.This is a handy guide to making green decisions throughout your day. It's not a guide about guilt, but about making little choices throughout the day that improve the planet - what to eat, what to wear, how to dispose of dog poop or diapers, how to travel from point A to point B, where to have a post-work cocktail, and so on. 'Wake Up and Smell the Planet' covers a full 24 hours of confusing and often contradictory options. Like a wise (and wisecracking) friend who isn't afraid to share secret tips, the book will give you easy tips for simplifying your life and lessening your impact. If you choose to give your mother a book as a gift, you are more than welcome to balance it out with Eco-Libris, add our sticker to the book and make it the perfect green gift for Mother's Day.Happy Mother's Day,Raz @ Eco-LibrisEco-Libris: plant a tree for every book your read!

ebooks vs. paper books:

Eco-Libris: Plant a tree for every book you read!

Founded in 2007, Eco-Libris is a green company working to green up the book industry in the digital age by promoting the adoption of green practices in the book industry, balancing out books by planting trees, and helping to make e-reading greener.

To achieve these goals Eco-Libris is working with book readers, publishers, authors, bookstores and others in the book industry worldwide. So far Eco-Libris balanced out over 179,500 books, which results in more than 200,000 new trees planted with its planting partners in developing countries.